Thailand’s same-sex marriage bill on Tuesday (Apr 2) passed the first reading in the Senate, taking the kingdom another step closer to becoming the first South-east Asian nation to recognise LGBTQ marriage equality.

The unelected chamber passed the legislation with 147 votes in favour, four against and seven abstaining. The upper house then set up a 27-member committee that includes senators, civil society and ministers to review the bill. Senators are expected to vote on the bill again in July, when parliament reconvenes following a recess that begins next week. 

The Senate cannot reject the legislation, but it can send it back to the lower house for further debate for 180 days.

Thailand has long enjoyed an international reputation for tolerance of the LGBTQ community, but activists have struggled for decades against conservative attitudes and values.

The lower house easily approved the law last week and the legislation now moves to the country’s unelected senate, which is stacked with conservative appointees named by the last junta.

Paulie Nataya Paomephan, who won Miss Trans Thailand in 2023, said until recently she had never dreamed that transgender people would be able to legally marry in Thailand.

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“I think it is because politicians have to adapt themselves to the changing world,” she told AFP, adding that she and her boyfriend of three years planned to marry if the law passed.

‘Proud of our pride’

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said he was “proud of our pride” after the lower house voted to approve the bill in a 399-10 landslide.

“The passing (of this law) in the parliament today is a proud moment for Thai society who will walk together towards social equality and respect differences,” he wrote on social media platform X.

Across Asia, only Taiwan and Nepal recognise same-sex marriage. Last year, India’s highest court deferred the decision to parliament, and Hong Kong’s top court stopped just short of granting full marriage rights.

LGBTQ activists celebrated last Wednesday’s vote as a significant milestone on the road to equality.

Inside parliament, a small burst of cheers and clapping accompanied the final vote, with one representative waving a rainbow flag.

The prime minister has been vocal in his support for the LGBTQ community, making the marriage equality policy a signature issue and telling reporters last year that the change would strengthen family structures.

Opinion polls reported by local media show the law has overwhelming support among Thais.

While Thailand has a reputation for tolerance, much of the Buddhist-majority country remains conservative, and LGBTQ people, while highly visible, still face barriers and discrimination.

Activists have been pushing for same-sex marriage rights for more than a decade, but in a kingdom where politics is regularly upended by coups and mass street protests, the advocacy did not get far.

Activist Ann Waaddao Chumaporn said she knew of dozens of LGBTQ couples ready to tie the knot once the law is passed, which she hoped would happen this year.

“Once the law is enforced, yes of course, it will change Thai society,” she told AFP.

“It will inspire other fights for other equalities.” AFP, BLOOMBERG